
In this episode, we talk with Indigenous Affairs journalist and author Allison Herrera.
Allison’s indigenous ties are from her Xolon Salinan tribal heritage. Her family’s village is in the Toro Creek area of the Central California coast. She didn’t take the traditional route into journalism with a degree. She just decided she wanted to do it and did it. Starting out at Minneapolis community station KFAI, she brought her talents and desire to report on indigenous stories to various media outlets. With Association for Independents in Radio (AIR), she had the opportunity to collaborate with an Oklahoma radio station that wanted to cover indigenous stories but didn’t have the resources for a producer. Immediately, she fell in love with the area and now splits her time between Minneapolis and Oklahoma. She is a journalist with APM Reports and is the author of Tribal Justice: The Struggle for Black Rights on Native Land, produced as an audio book in 2024.
Subscribe to Native Lights wherever you get your podcasts
More from Native Lights
- Allison Waukau: Empowering Native Stories Through Community Service and PodcastingIn this episode, we speak with Allison Waukau (Menominee/Navajo), who serves as the Tribal Liaison and Native Relations Coordinator at the Metropolitan Council. She previously worked at the Hennepin County Library and the Roseville School District as American Indian Community Liaison. Last year, she started a new podcast with Odia Wood-Krueger. Through “Books Are Good Medicine,” the co-hosts explore Native literature with the aim of increasing the knowledge of educators and libraries about Native American books and materials. Allison Waukau lives in Minneapolis with her family, including a young son, and had a dream come true recently when she was selected to participate in Cohort 14 of the Native Governance Center’s Rebuilder Program. Allison’s podcast with Odia Wood-Krueger can be found at Books Are Good Medicine.
- Dr. Amber Annis: Rebuilding Community with the Native Governance CenterIn this episode, we hear from Dr. Amber Annis about the joys and challenges of rebuilding community and finding your voice as a leader. Dr. Amber Annis is a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and the Executive Director of Native Governance Center. Prior to taking on her role at NGC in December 2024, …
- Deven Current: Healing Through the Art of TattooingIn this episode, we hear from Deven Current about tattooing, sports and the importance of sobriety, family and faith. Deven is an Ojibwe tattoo artist, who connected with his culture later in life. Deven grew up in the Twin Cities and, at a young age, fell into drug addiction. He ended up incarcerated, but his time …